UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
21 June 21. KBR (NYSE: KBR) was awarded a contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to provide analytical, engineering, technical, programmatic and logistics services for the PATRIOT missile system. The PATRIOT is an advanced surface-to-air guided air and missile defense system used by several NATO countries around the globe. Under the Technical, Analytical and Logistics Support Service contract, KBR’s work will include systems engineering; program management; modeling and simulation; product assurance; configuration management; production, quality, logistics and deployment; hardware and software integration; field surveillance; and test and evaluation. KBR will also conduct studies, engineering evaluations and investigations as requested by NSPA. KBR will primarily carry out its duties at company facilities in Huntsville, Alabama as well as at U.S. government deployment locations worldwide. This contract has a three-year base period and two option years.
24 June 21. Rafael’s Trophy Active Protection System selected for integration on the UK’s Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. announces that its Trophy Active Protection System (APS) for armored vehicles has been selected for the next phase of detailed assessment and integration by the UK Ministry of Defence for the Army’s Challenger 3 MBT. The selection is a result of a study conducted by the UK MOD as part of an upgrade program led by prime contractor Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), which will entail detailed integration and system trials of this lighter Trophy variant (Trophy MV), to fit the particular requirements of this vehicle.
24 June 21. Serco:Engie Joint Venture ‘VIVO’ awarded £810m MOD service family accommodation maintenance contracts. VIVO Defence Services, a 50/50 Joint Venture between Serco, the international provider of services to governments, and ENGIE, the leading energy and services company, has been awarded contracts to provide repairs and maintenance work for Service Family Accommodation (SFA), by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). Following a competitive tender process, VIVO secured two Regional Accommodation Maintenance Service (RAMS) contracts under Lot 2B of the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) programme, which is the largest facilities management procurement currently running across Europe.
AIR
22 June 21. The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, received a delivery order in the amount of $580,598,636 on a previously negotiated option under a basic ordering agreement W91215-16-G-0001 for 14 H-47 extended range rotary wing aircraft that satisfy the United Kingdom’s requirement for heavy assault, rotary wing aircraft. This modification exercises an option that was awarded on an existing delivery order. Foreign Military Sales funding from the United Kingdom in the amount of $580,598,636 is being obligated at the time of award. The majority of the work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by July 2026. This is a non-competitive award and is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. Boeing to Boost UK Royal Air Force Chinook Fleet. U.S. Special Operations Command awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a $599m Foreign Military Sales contract approved by the U.S. Department of State to deliver 14 extended-range Chinook helicopters to the UK Royal Air Force (RAF). The extended range Chinook gives the RAF fleet more versatility to execute the domestic and international heavy-lift missions that only the Chinook can facilitate. Boeing and the RAF recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first Chinook delivery to the UK. Boeing will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Chinook’s first flight later this year. The United Kingdom will be the first international operator of a Block II Chinook. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2026. Boeing has more than 4,600 employees in Pennsylvania supporting the Chinook, the V-22 Osprey, the MH-139A Grey Wolf and a number of services and engineering efforts. Including suppliers and vendors, Boeing’s activities support an estimated 16,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. The Chinook fleet for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) supports more than 450 highly skilled jobs across the UK. Boeing colleagues provide maintenance and services support at Gosport, MOD Boscombe Down, and are embedded alongside the military at RAF Odiham. View more information about the
21 June 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $472,469,642 undefinitized contract modification (P00041) to previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract N00019-19-C-0010. This modification adds scope to further develop and integrate three unique weapons capabilities through system functional review to development test complete on the F-35A and F-35B aircraft for the governments of the United Kingdom and Italy. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (39%); Stevenage, United Kingdom (36%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (12%); El Segundo, California (4%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); Harlow, United Kingdom (2%); Tucson, Arizona (2%); Orlando, Florida (1%); and Amityville, New York (1%), and is expected to be completed in March 2026. Non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $116,462,707 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Awarded June 18, 2021)
TECHNOLOGY
25 Jun 21. CGI has been selected by the Ministry of Defence to develop a new intelligence software application. The system will enable MOD to create a single, all-domain Intelligence Mission Management System that is fully integrated across the UK. Since 1976, CGI has become one of the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 77,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. The firm’s digital expertise has also been of particular importance supporting initiatives across the aerospace, defence and space sectors. Exemplifying this, CGI has been delivering secure IT systems to the UK Ministry of Defence for over 40 years, most recently helping rapidly deliver the ability to send text messages containing Covid-19 advisory notifications to the MOD’s entire patient population, and establish near real-time statistical reports on the Covid-19 impact on its people. (Source: Google/https://www.consultancy.uk/)
22 June 21. WITT Limited, the South West of England based renewable energy tech company, has secured a £350k contract with the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to develop energy harvesting technology for the subsea environment. DASA is a cross-Government organisation and part of the Ministry of Defence; it finds and funds innovation to support UK defence and security. DASA put out its ‘Open Call’ last year for ‘Rapid Impact’ innovations that could quickly and effectively support the UK defence sector and WITT’s successful contract award will be published on the gov.uk website later this month. The funds will be used to develop the WITT (Whatever Input to Torsion Transfer) energy capture and storage device specifically for subsea defence applications. The WITT is a ground-breaking device that efficiently captures energy from all planes of movement and turns it into electricity that can be stored until needed – it has been hailed as the most exciting development in the renewable energy sector since the solar panel. In the subsea environment the WITT converts the vortex induced vibrations (VIV) created by ocean currents into usable electrical power and it is unique because it can do this with a waterflow of just 0.5 mtr/sec. The WITT is contained within a sealed vessel and provides a low maintenance source of off-grid power to remote and hard-to-reach locations.
EUROPE
LAND
18 June 21. IAI agrees to produce tactical radars for German Land Forces. The first radar systems are expected to be delivered early next year and the final deliveries are scheduled in 2024. The manufacture and delivery will be carried out as part of a €36m agreement signed between German company Elektroniksystem – und Logistik (ESG) and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). IAI will provide the systems through its subsidiary ELTA Systems, which is ESG’s subcontractor for the contract. It will also provide training courses and resources and initial spare parts. ELTA’s fifth-generation WatchGuard Radar is a tactical ground surveillance radar (GSR) designed to support tough missions. (Source: army-technology.com)
21 June 21. Saab has signed a contract for the delivery of live training systems and services to the Dutch armed forces. The order comprises the supply of new equipment and functionality at 727 MSEK, with a 10-year support contract with an annual value of 66.9 MSEK. The total order over the ten year period is valued approximately 1.4bn SEK. The contract also has an option for five years additional support following the initial 10-year period. The order includes delivery of an upgraded Mobile Combat Training Centre (MCTC) and reflects Saab’s latest market offer with enhanced functionality and new capabilities. These include examples such as the “Mortar and Forward Observer” capability, which introduces a mix between live and virtual training, also known as blended training. Blended training opens up a new dimension in monitoring exercises, where operators can monitor the whole training area, as well as specific soldiers in augmented reality. It also includes the latest generation of a vehicle simulation platform. The support component comprises of deployable, integrated logistics and operational support to the Dutch armed forces. Saab received the initial order for the MCTC for the Dutch armed forces in 2000, and has continuously delivered upgrades and support services for that programme. This order will extend the lifetime of the capability by up to 15 years. This contract also includes upgrades to the Military Operations Urban Terrain facility, which has been in operation since 2004.
SEA
23 June 21. Damen Naval has signed a contract with ship classification society DNV to provide certification services for the German Navy’s new F126 frigates. The classification and verification contract was signed at DNV Maritime headquarters. The German ship classification society will execute extensive work and conduct in-depth ship verifications and surveys. Work will be carried out in German cities Hamburg, Wolgast and Kiel throughout the entire of project duration. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
21 June 21. AAC Clyde Space (“AAC”) has won a £4.6m order for a full turn-key solution from Horizon Space Technologies, including two new satellite launches, operations and data delivery. The satellites will become part of the Horizon Space Technologies’ Amber™ constellation dedicated to delivering Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) intelligence data. The EPIC-6U satellites will be able to locate and track vessels worldwide by geolocating and demodulating RF signals in a system that can be used to fight piracy, illegal trans-shipments, illegal fishing, and refugee smuggling, but can also be used for other purposes such as detecting and tracking a variety of RF emitters. The mission delivers a commercial service and may be extended to include more than ten (10) additional Amber™ CubeSats. Horizon Space Technologies’ first customer is the UK National Maritime Information Centre (NMIC) in Portsmouth.
22 June 21. U.S. Air Force Selects Electra for Ultra-Short Takeoff Aircraft Development. Unique Configuration Strengthens Commercial Advanced Air Mobility Markets. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has signed a contract with Electra.aero to strengthen advanced air mobility markets through the development of hybrid-electric propulsion systems for electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. (Source: PR Newswire)
USA
LAND
24 June 21. Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today that its Airborne & Intelligence Systems business division was awarded a contract from Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS), a division of Cubic Corporation, to deliver additional P5 Combat Training Systems (P5CTS) for the F-35 Lightning II. Under the contract Leonardo DRS will deliver two more production lots of its P5CTS internal subsystems for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) system. Military services are increasingly moving towards multi-domain operations, and since 2013, Leonardo DRS has delivered more than 779 of its P5CTS internal subsystems for the F-35 to provide training to counter and keep ahead of growing global adversarial threats. The P5CTS internal subsystem is unlike traditional external training pods used on legacy 4th generation fighter aircraft. The internal subsystem supports 5th generation and 4th generation combat training operations. The air combat systems are being delivered to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and international partner nations. These training systems are designed to address emerging needs for our customers as global threats evolve. The P5CTS is part of the Leonardo DRS advanced sensor technology portfolio which has an extensive installed base across the U.S. military.
14 Jun 21. Ovzon has received a new order for service from the U.S. Department of Defense (U.S. DoD) through the firm’s partner, Intelsat General Communications (IGC) — this one-year order represents an expansion of the US DoD’s use of Ovzon’s global, high-data-throughput, SATCOM services. This order will increase the U.S DoD’s existing footprint of Ovzon’s already established global services that will be empowered by the agency’s existing inventory of Communications-On-The Move (COTM) and Communications-On-The-Pause (COTP) terminals that include the new Ovzon T6 terminal. The terminal is Ovzon’s latest addition to their mobility product offerings: an ultra-small, simple-to-use, lightweight and rugged satellite terminal. (Source: Satnews)
SEA
23 June 21. The US Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded two US Navy contracts to Austal USA, which has been tasked with supporting the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) programs. The LCS deal is a modification to a previously awarded contract, which is expected to provide Austal with a total potential additional value of approximately US$44.3m ($58.7m). The LCS modification involves options to deliver design services for all Independence Class LCS ships and the provision of the US Navy’s Integrated Data Product Model Environment (IDPME). The design services may include program management, fitting out services, change processing, software maintenance, engineering and life cycle efforts, while the IDPME tasks would involve maintaining a system that supports Navy access to enterprise LCS data management. Meanwhile, Austal’s LAW contract involves the delivery of concept studies and preliminary design services for a class of 28 to 30 new amphibious ships to support the Marine Corps. The services particularly relate to the implementation of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) — a new Marine Corps operational concept. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
21 June 21. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $169,460,000 firm-fixed-price contract to support the Apache full-rate production Lot 12 long lead effort. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2027. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $169,460,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-21-C-0015). (Awarded June 18, 2021)
23 June 21. KBR (NYSE: KBR) won a follow-on $58.1m task order to provide sustainment engineering services for U.S. Air Force systems managed by the Digital Directorate’s Air Traffic Control and Landings Systems (ATCALS) Sustainment Branch. Under the task order, KBR will conduct research and analysis on reliability, obsolescence, non-destructive inspection and non-destructive testing techniques, system degradation, structures, corrosion, and system sustainability. These efforts will identify impacts, improvements, alternate solutions, and more efficient methods and techniques to sustain critical Air Force landing, navigational, radar and air traffic systems. The Air Force Installation Contracting Center’s 774 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron awarded the cost-plus-fixed-fee task order through the DoD Information Analysis Center’s Multiple Award Contract (IAC), an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity vehicle for complex, integrated professional projects. KBR will carry out these duties in Oklahoma as well as other locations over the next five years. The company has performed similar tasking for the Air Force since 2005.
TECHNOLOGY
22 June 21. US DoD funds nanotechnology to protect against lasers. Advanced Material Development (AMD) has been awarded a contract to develop protective films to be integrated into protective eyewear. The contract with the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD, formerly CTTSO) will fund AMD’s development of laser filtering coatings, based on AMD’s nanomaterial and photonic crystal technologies.
24 June 21. HP Enterprise Services, Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $443,779,321 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursement contract for the U.S. Strategic Command Information Technology Capabilities. This contract will provide services, capabilities and functions to include information technology infrastructure, mission critical systems and applications. Work will be performed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2026. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 55th Contracting Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, is the contracting activity. (FA4600-21-D-0001).
24 June 21. Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) today announced it has been awarded a research and development contract worth up to $30m by the United States Army (Army) to develop a payload to be hosted on small satellites that supports navigation systems, guidance and control for the global positioning system (GPS) and GPS-denied precision systems. The new experimental Iridium payload is intended to be hosted by another Low Earth Orbit (LEO) commercial satellite constellation, complementing the Iridium® constellation’s capabilities. Through this contract the Army intends to develop this payload to support the concept of a rapidly deployable smallsat constellation to provide more effective sensor-to-soldier data transmission when in the field. The development of this new payload is based on Iridium Burst® technology, a unique service that can transmit data to millions of enabled devices at a time from space.
24 June 21. KBR (NYSE: KBR) won a $194.3m task order to research, develop, test, and analyze the design and fabrication of microelectronics components, verifying and validating their trustworthiness for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Trusted Electronics Branch (RYDT). Under the Security and Trustworthy Foundations for Electronics Resurgence (STryFER) task order, KBR’s efforts will include multidisciplined research and development of design best practices and methodologies for trusted systems in the digital and analog realm. The company will also develop unique and science-driven counterfeit detection schemes through microelectronic device characterization methodology, and advanced fabrication and packaging schemes for trusted microelectronics.
18 June 21. Verizon wins $495m contract for DoD research network. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Verizon Public Sector a $495m contract to deliver the network that connects 200 research labs and supercomputer locations, the company announced. Verizon will provide the department with switches, routers, firewalls and “edge compute” capabilities for the department’s Defense Research and Engineering Network and its High Performance Computing Modernization Program, according to the June 17 announcement. The contract has a four-year base with three two-year options. (Source: Defense News)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
23 June 21. WFEL to supply Philippine Army with Rapidly Deployable DSB Mobile Military Bridges. UK Military Bridge manufacturer, WFEL, is to supply a number of its Dry Support Bridges (DSB) to the Philippine Army under the Horizon 2 phase of the revised AFP Modernisation Programme.
The DSB systems can be deployed in around 90 minutes to provide temporary infrastructure and will be supplied with pedestrian walkways, for use in Disaster Relief operational situations, as well as other military scenarios. The Philippine Army, having a choice of launch vehicle chassis for its bridges, opted for the Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) 45m 10 x 10 systems. Intended for use by the Philippine Combat Engineers, the Dry Support Bridges will be manufactured at WFEL’s production facility in Stockport, UK; delivery will begin during 2023.
An Integrated Logistics Support package is also included in the contract for this new Combat Engineering Equipment, ensuring back-up and support from WFEL’s Technical Engineering Teams and giving confidence to the Combat Engineers of continued through-life support and spares availability.
SEA
23 June 21. Babcock signs tripartite agreement to support enhancement of Ukrainian naval capabilities. Babcock International Group (Babcock) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) in Odesa with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the UK Government. Building on the agreement signed in October 2020, the two nations will now push forward a major programme of Ukrainian naval projects, with Babcock as their designated prime industrial partner. Building on the agreement signed in October 2020, the two nations will now push forward a major programme of Ukrainian naval projects, with Babcock as their designated prime industrial partner. Reflecting Babcock’s extensive naval experience and capabilities, the Group has been chosen to lead in the delivery of the scope of the broad ranging Ukrainian Naval Capabilities Enhancement Programme (UNCEP). The programme includes the enhancement of capabilities on existing naval platforms, the delivery of new platforms, including fast attack missile craft, a modern frigate capability, shipborne armaments and the training of naval personnel. It also involves working together to regenerate Ukrainian shipyards by developing, implementing and completing a Shipyard Regeneration Plan. Babcock will lead British and Ukrainian industrial partners to assist the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence in delivering these projects. Working collaboratively, these teams will be fully integrated within the projects, building ownership and expertise through technical and knowledge transfer and enabling Ukraine to develop a modern naval fleet and support capability.
22 June 21. The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has placed an order with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) for four REMUS 300 unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). HII noted that this is the first international order. New Zealand has a total fleet of six REMUS 100 UUVs that are used for mine countermeasures (MCMs) and other underwater survey operations. The RNZN used REMUS vehicles for search and recovery, as well as locating the wreck of the Princess Ashika ferry in 2009. The vehicles also assisted RNZN with the White Island volcano search effort in 2019. (Source: naval-technology.com)
23 June 21. Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $136,470,802 firm-fixed-price contract for MK 15 close-in weapon system upgrades and conversions, system overhauls and associated hardware. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $344,400,000. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (85%); and the government of South Korea (15%), under the foreign military sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Louisville, Kentucky (33%); El Segundo, California (10%); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (6%); Williston, Vermont (5%); Tucson, Arizona (5%); Hauppauge, New York (2%); Andover, Massachusetts (2%); Melbourne, Florida (2%); Radford, Virginia (2%); Palo Alto, California (2%); Joplin, Missouri (1%); Tempe, Arizona (1%); Van Nuys California (1%); Anaheim, California (1%); Valencia, California (1%); Irvine, California (1%); East Syracuse, New York (1%); and various locations with less than 1% each (24% combined) and is expected to be completed by April 2024. If all options are exercised, work will continue through September 2026. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) (61%) funds in the amount of $78,220,272; FMS (South Korea) (16%) funds in the amount of $20,314,585; 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) (10%) funds in the amount of $13,230,676; 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) (8%) funds in the amount of $9,825,994; and 2020 weapons procurement (Navy) (5%) funds in the amount of $6,279,275, will be obligated at time of award, of which, funding in the amount of $78,220,272 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1); only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-21-C-5406).
24 June 21. Safran’s Paseo XLR (eXtra Long Range) optronic (electro-optical) sight has been chosen by the Aguas Azuis consortium for Brazil’s new Tamandaré class frigates. The Brazilian navy will take delivery of four frigates, each displacing 3,500 metric tons, starting in 2026. They will each be fitted with two PASEO XLR sights. Paseo XLR incorporates modules from Safran’s airborne Euroflir optronic systems, in particular high-definition sensors coupled with a multispectral telescope, to identify threats on the horizon. Paseo XLR is also capable of detecting small craft hard to detect by conventional radar systems because they’re close to the sea surface and often made of composite materials which are transparent to radar waves. These characteristics make the Paseo XLR sight especially useful under asymmetric warfare conditions, where first-rate ships may operate near coastlines and could be surrounded by small craft with unknown intentions. This extra long range sight will enhance the Brazilian navy’s ability to cope with both conventional and asymmetric threats by increasing the safety zone around ships. As part of the ship’s self-protection system, Paseo XLR will detect and identify various threats, even in rough seas, at high speeds and under in degraded visual environments. It also supports day/night fire control of these ships’ main gun.
The first two Paseo XLR sights will be delivered to the Aguas Azuis consortium in Brazil at the beginning of 2023. Safran Electronics & Defense Brazil, a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, will provide customer support services, including spare parts and repairs.
TECHNOLOGY
22 June 21. As part of the Australian Department of Defence’s LAND 19 Phase 7B program, Honeywell has been selected by Raytheon Australia to provide its Tactical Advanced Land Inertial Navigator (TALIN) for the enhanced configuration of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (eNASAMS). Honeywell’s TALIN technology is designed to enhance the eNASAMS performance by providing precise and accurate positioning, pointing and targeting, even where GPS satellite guidance is not available. (Source: Defence Connect)